A NEWBAY MEDIA CUSTOM WHITE PAPER
Best Practices in K-12
Cabling Strategies
(Or, how to untangle the snarl in your school’s wiring closet)
If cabling sounds ho-hum, think again. Failure to consider the effects
of modern technologies on your wiring infrastructure can lead to big
problems. Here’s how experts and leading districts are updating their
infrastructure to handle higher-performance Wi-Fi, a surge in IP-enabled
systems, and new Power-over-Ethernet technologies.
By Anne Rawland Gabriel
Presented by:
A partner of
INTRODUCTION
Whether it’s interactive whiteboards, 1:1 computing, or online testing, it’s no secret that technology
is powering teaching and learning in today’s K-12
classrooms. What’s being over looked is how many
of today’s technologies make new demands on your
cabling infrastructure. Even the latest high-performance Wi-Fi doubles the amount of cabling required for connecting access points. Plus, technologies like IP-enabled security cameras, IP intercoms,
VoIP phones, and new Power-over-Ethernet (POE)
implementations are compounding the situation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne Rawland Gabriel is
a business and education
technology writer who has
contributed to numerous
leading technology publications for many years. A
graduate of Grinnell College,
Gabriel is a long-time supporter of K-12 and higher
education. She is based in
the Minneapolis-St. Paul
metropolitan area.
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All these new requirements are straining wiring
closets, where heat buildup can be dangerous and
potentially create serious downtime problems. The
solution? First, realize there is an issue. And then
evaluate how you can optimize your cabling infrastructure using new techniques and technologies
designed to save space, dissipate heat, and bring
order to the chaos.
BEST PRACTICES IN K-12 CABLING STRATEGIES
A MULTITUDE OF ED TECH DEMANDS
According to Furturesource Consulting,
interactive display devices already sit
at the front of about 60 percent of U.S.
classrooms, with over 70 percent expected by 2019. Similarly, a recent Market
Data Retrieval report shows that mobility
and 1:1 are playing an increasingly significant educational role, with 64 percent
of K-12 districts distributing laptops to
students (See Figure 1: More Access to
Technology). Another 34 percent of districts provide tablets and an equal share
permit BYOD in high schools. The MDR
study further notes that a majority of districts are implementing the online assessments related to the Common Core. Even
states by passing the Common Core are
moving rapidly toward their own versions
of online testing.
Yet classroom technologies tell only part
of the K-12 IT story. Educational institutions also provide voice communications
for teachers, administrators, parents,
and students. Plus, schools ensure the
safety and security of all campus constituencies with various types of physical
and video controls.
DISTRICT LEADERS SAY
“ALL OF THE ABOVE”
For the San Ramon Valley Unified School
District, new technologies include “all of
the above” and more. “We’re undergoing
an extensive Wi-Fi upgrade to meet the
demands of state testing, the adoption
of hundreds of Chromebooks at our
high schools, and BYOD throughout all
K-12 grade levels,” explains Ric Johanson, a Senior Project Manager for the
32,000-student district in Silicon Valley’s
East Bay region.
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BEST PRACTICES IN K-12 CABLING STRATEGIES
“Where we previously had one or two
wireless access points per building across
our 35 campuses, we’re now approaching
one per classroom,” he adds. “Plus, we’re
installing multiple APs in large spaces,
such as auditoriums. We’re also enabling
mobility in outdoor spaces, including
playing fields, because our physical
education teachers now take attendance
online. Overall, it means we’ve moved
from dozens of APs to hundreds.”
But that’s not all. San Ramon Valley is also
upgrading classrooms to include interactive touch boards, the latest generation
of interactive whiteboards. Additionally, a
new digital solution combining intercom,
public address, and clock functions is
replacing the previous separate analog
versions of all three systems. Further, the
district already relies on digital technologies for telephony and for environmental
and physical security. This includes VoIP
phones, energy management systems,
security cameras, access controls, and
intrusion alarm systems.
Unsurprisingly, the single characteristic
shared by all of these technologies is
connectivity to an institution’s LAN. This
means even technologies like Wi-Fi rely on
wiring infrastructure to plug them into the
network. To get a better understanding
of what technologies schools are adopting, and how they impact an institution’s
wiring infrastructure, let’s drill down on
several key innovations.
GIGABIT WI-FI TURBO-CHARGES
MOBILE LEARNING POTENTIAL
With the recent introduction of access
points based on the most recent IEEE
standard, 802.11ac, wireless networking
solutions finally offer wire-quality experiences that make classroom mobility
practical. Also called “Gigabit Wi-Fi,”
802.11ac-based wireless is about to get
even speedier with the second generation
of APs, called Wave 2.
Figure 1: More Access to Technology
Significantly Faster. Compared to the
previous standard, 802.11n, the first
generation of 802.11ac improved speeds
by about 3X. Initially, Wave 2 will increase throughput another 30%, with
subsequent updates contributing further
enhancements. In addition to eliminating lag time barriers for effectively using
rich content, such as delays in accessing
streaming video, both waves can also
provide seamless mobility by allowing
non-disruptive movement between
learning spaces.
Higher Device Densities. Gigabit Wi-Fi
also enables schools to support greater
mobile device densities. Just as higher education institutions are already experiencing three or four devices per individual,
K-12 schools are expecting similar densities as they plan modern Wi-Fi set-ups.
More E-rate Funds Available. In addition to the Gigabit Wi-Fi’s performance
qualities, there’s now a budget incentive
with the latest revision to the federal
E-rate program. Through 2019, E-rate
includes a $1 billion annual target budget
for Category 2 funds—those which are
designated for implementing modern WiFi. According to integrator Cory Brymer,
President of Texas-based BryComm,
the E-rate commitment has opened
the spigot for 802.11ac adoption in his
region. “We’ve seen a gigantic increase
in school districts initiating Gigabit Wi-Fi
projects recently,” he says.
Source: State of the K-12 Market 2014, Market Data Research
For original infographic: http://schooldata.com/ednet-insight/state-of-the-k-12-market-2014-findings
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BEST PRACTICES IN K-12 CABLING STRATEGIES
IP-BASED OPTIONS ABOUND
The move from analog to digital has
brought with it a cascade of Internet
Protocol-enabled systems and devices
to K-12 institutions. Whether for communications, security, or even timekeeping,
each of the related systems relies on
wires to connect it to an organization’s
network. IP-enabled trends in K-12 include
the following. (See Figure 2: K-12 Infrastructure Transformation)
VoIP & Video IP Telephony. After more
than a decade of replacing analog telephones with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephony, few see any end to the
trend in sight. Analysts like Frost & Sullivan are not only predicting VoIP growth
through 2025, but also a quadrupling in
the adoption of new IP media phones
with their larger displays and cameras for
personal video communication.
Although the impact of video phones on
education is currently small, what matters
is that the cabling needs for telephony will
continue to impact schools as VoIP-enabled systems continue to play a critical
communications role.
IP-based Security Cameras & Access
Controls. While safe and secure learning environments have always been a
K-12 priority, the effects of Sandy Hook,
Santa Monica, and other tragedies are
moving more schools to adopt integrated
security systems for real-time emergency response. According to IHS, the K-12
market for these types of systems will
rise 80 percent by 2017 versus pre-Sandy Hook levels.
Data collected by the National Center for
Education Statistics backs this trend. In
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BEST PRACTICES IN K-12 CABLING STRATEGIES
the most recent NCES survey, 75 percent
of public schools reported using security cameras, up a full 10 percent over
the previous report. Similarly, controlled
access to school buildings now stands at
93 percent, versus 88 percent during the
preceding survey.
IP Intercoms, PA Systems & Clocks.
As noted by San Ramon Valley, other
campus-wide systems going digital include
intercoms, public address systems, and
clocks. Just like all IP-based solutions, they
require network connectivity rather than
analog’s stand-alone hard-wired systems.
Attractive for many reasons, these systems can all be controlled from a central
location, significantly improving reliability
while reducing maintenance and troubleshooting costs. In the case of clocks, a key
advantage is automatic synchronization,
which has myriad K-12 benefits.
“Just as higher
education institutions are already
experiencing three
or four devices
per individual,
K-12 schools are
expecting similar
densities as they
plan modern Wi-Fi
set-ups.”
Figure 2: K-12 Infrastructure Transformation
Source: Panduit
POE-ENABLED CLASSROOM SYSTEMS
ON DECK AND IN THE PIPELINE
As key classroom devices gain more
features they also continue to require
more electricity. This is placing a strain
on hard-wired electrical systems in buildings constructed well before most of
today’s technologies were conceived, let
alone deployed. Fortunately, Power over
Ethernet (PoE) is beginning to supply
the answer by enabling components and
devices to get energy from a school’s LAN
network rather than an electrical outlet.
In general, most existing IP-enabled systems now utilize PoE. Other emerging PoE
devices and systems include:
PoE A/V Systems & Displays. With
teachers embracing all things video –
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BEST PRACTICES IN K-12 CABLING STRATEGIES
whether for streaming or conferencing
– comes the demand for more advanced
A/V systems and displays. The latest entrants include PoE connectivity, with the
incumbent electrification and centralized
management rewards. According to Brymer, a 140-campus district in his region is
in the process of adopting a PoE-enabled
A/V system at this time. “They’re in the
design and specification phase,” he says.
PoE Lighting. Somewhat further down
the road is PoE lighting, which combines
energy-efficient LCD lighting with PoE
power delivery. Like other PoE systems,
advantages include centralized management and troubleshooting to minimize
energy consumption and maintenance
overhead.
IMPACTS ON K-12 WIRING STRATEGIES According to broadband experts like
On the infrastructure side of the equation,
connecting so many systems and devices
to K-12 LAN networks requires rethinking
wiring strategies.
“As recently as 15 years ago, various different types of systems had their own wiring leading to their own dedicated brains
inside of wiring closets,” notes Brymer.
“Now, with phones, intercoms, and A/V
systems joining computers and Wi-Fi on
K-12 LANs, administration of these systems is streamlined but more cables are
being run to wiring closets.”
Cabling ABCs. To understand the challenges, it’s important to remember that
the networking cables that connect IP
and PoE-enabled components to K-12
LAN can only run for a maximum distance
of about 300 feet before they must be
plugged into a networking switch. Switches are, in turn, connected to the network
via a backbone cable.
As switches serve dozens of different
components simultaneously, they are
stacked up and housed in wiring closets.
Within each wiring closet, cables from
components terminate in a junction box.
From the junction box a shorter cord,
known as a patch cord, runs to an appropriate networking switch.
Small Closets, Big Demands. Unsurprisingly, the proliferation of components and
devices with cables travelling to individual
wiring closets means space inside the
closets grows ever-tighter. In addition to
greater numbers of single-cable IP-enabled systems, technologies such as
Gigabit Wi-Fi, now require one cable for
data and another to deliver PoE.
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BEST PRACTICES IN K-12 CABLING STRATEGIES
Dan Hoops, Director of Engineering at
Minnesota-headquartered All State
Communications, the magnitude of
the problem adds up to “400 to 500”
cables per rack. And, many closets hold
multiple racks.
Heat Is The Enemy. Also, as IP-enabled
systems add capabilities and grow more
complex, they generally require greater
PoE wattage. This adds to heat in the closets, resulting in more demands on cooling
systems and associated costs. Adequate
cooling is critical, as switches cost thousands of dollars and overheating electronics gear causes failure rates to approximately double for each 10ºC (18ºF) rise
in heat above its allowable temperature
according to U.S. Defense Department
testing. For most IT gear, the American
Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and
Air-Conditioning Engineers recommends
a maximum temperature of 80.6ºF.
Gigabit Wi-Fi Adds Burdens. In the case
of Gigabit Wi-Fi, the challenges are compounded by the number of APs in any
given area, which are doubling, tripling,
or more as schools add access points to
meet mobile density demands. In addition
to taking up more space in wiring closets, more heat is generated, as Gigabit
Wi-Fi APs require higher PoE wattage.
Further, Wi-Fi performance resembling
wired networks can only be delivered over
faster Category 6A cables, which can be
up to 50% larger than Cat 6. “Although
it’s tempting to consider using existing
Cat 5E or Cat 6 cables, realizing Gigabit
Wi-Fi’s benefits requires updating to Cat
6A,” says Nat Basset, a Panduit Technical
Systems Engineer.
Figure 3: Untangling K-12 Wiring Closets
28-gauge cords enable greater
air flow in cramped wiring closets
because they simply take up less
space. “Anything that improves
air flow is important,” says San
Ramon Valley’s Johanson. “We’re
always looking for ways to improve energy and operational
efficiency.”
Of course, improved airflow is a
significant contributor to heat
reduction. And, with reduced
heat comes less wear and tear on
cooling equipment. “As cooling
fans are self-regulating, lower
temperatures not only save energy but also can improve cooling
fan life span,” Basset says.
Reducing Complexity Saves on
Overhead. Another benefit of
smaller-diameter patch cords is
faster troubleshooting of connected devices, components,
and systems. “With about 300 percent
more patch cords in a wiring closet now
than in the 1990’s, you’ve added that
much more complexity to locating and
fixing networking issues,” notes Basset.
Anything you can do to improve visibility
in a wiring closet will also contribute to
lowering IT overhead.”
A cascade of Internet Protocol-enabled systems and devices are being added each
year to K-12 district facilities. While previously these functions were separately
provisioned, today they are being integrated into a structured wiring scheme that
allows for superior management and organization.
HOW PANDUIT CAN HELP
While new schools can be designed for
digital-age wiring infrastructure, wiring
closets in many decades-old school buildings are bursting at the seams. Regardless, as more electronics move to higher
performance Cat 6A wire and greater PoE
wattage, this means that a bundle of 100
cables—let alone new amped-up switches —can potentially increase heat by 10ºF.
Therefore, wiring strategies that mitigate
heat deliver significant benefits. (See Figure 2: Untangling K-12 Wiring Closets)
Small-Diameter Patch Cables to the
Rescue. Sometimes the smallest and
simplest solutions are also the most
elegant. Such is the case with Panduit’s
28 AWG patch cords. At about half the diameter of standard 24-gauge patch cords,
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BEST PRACTICES IN K-12 CABLING STRATEGIES
Finally, small diameter patch cords are
just plain easier to move around, as
Brymer points out. “It’s not uncommon
for us to have a K-12 project that requires
10,000 patch cords,” he says. “If they’re
50 percent smaller, that’s significantly
less weight and bulk for us to transport
and manage. This, in turn, can help us
get our jobs done faster and we can pass
those efficiencies right on to our K-12 customers in the form of lower costs.”
ABOUT PANDUIT
Panduit is a world-class developer and provider of leading-edge solutions that connect, manage, and automate
the physical infrastructure.
Panduit Unified Physical Infrastructure (UPI) solutions
help customers integrate
core business systems for
a smarter, unified business
foundation. Our robust
partner ecosystem, global
staff, and unmatched service
and support make Panduit a
valuable and trusted partner.
For more information, visit
www.panduit.com.
ABOUT NEWBAY MEDIA
This white paper was produced by Tech & Learning’s
marketing services arm.
Tech & Learning is the premier publication and leading resource for education
technology professionals
responsible for implementing and purchasing technology products in K-12 districts
and schools. NewBay Plus
provides content marketing
and other services in NewBay Media’s five markets:
Education, Music, AV/Pro
Audio, Video & Broadcasting,
and Consumer Electronics.
For more information, contact Joe Braue at jbraue@
nbmedia.com
CONCLUSION
Despite all of the excitement around wireless mobility, wiring still plays a fundamental
role in powering the many new innovations
schools rely on for teaching, learning, and
administration. Whether adopting Gigabit
Wi-Fi, adding to IP-enabled systems, or installing new PoE options, wiring infrastructures carry the load and wiring closets are
feeling the effects.
Fortunately, small-diameter patch cords
offer K-12 organizations a reliable and
cost-effective option for reducing the resulting wiring closet congestion and easing the
incumbent burdens.
© 2015 NewBay Media Inc. Logos and trademarks are the
property of their respective companies. All rights reserved.
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BEST PRACTICES IN K-12 CABLING STRATEGIES